Territory



-DODGE.

No. 410,076. Patented Aug. 27 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. DODGE, OF SILVER REEF, UTAH TERRITORY.

QU lC KSlLVER-CATCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,076, dated August 27, 1889.

Application filed February 26 1889.

Serial No. 301,173. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. DODGE, a

citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at Silver Reef, in the county of Washington, Utah Territory, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Quicksilver- Catchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention is directed to certain improvements in quicksilver flumes or collectors, having for its object to readily recover quicksilver while being washed; and it consists of a fiume having at suitable intervals apart lateral extensionsvirtu ally forming chambers, preferably of proximate diamond shape, and each having centrally thereof a riffle removably applied to the flume bottom or bed, said bed or bottom having therein pans below its surface, or cavities, which collect the quicksilver, as also gates, as will more fully appear from the following description and accompanying illustration, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved flume or collector, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same.

In carrying out my invention I employ a trough-like receptacle or fiuine A, which is disposed in an inclined position, as usual, and has in its bottom pans or cavities B, to collect the precipitated quicksilver from the washwater, flowing, as it does, through the flume or receptacle A. The sides of the fiume or receptacle, at certain intervals or points, are provided with lateral extensions, forming virtually two chambers therein 0 C, which are preferably of proximate diamond shape. Oentrally in each of these chambers is a riffle D, with ends in proximity to the tapering or contracted side extremities of the chamber, whereby the flowing water with the quicksilver is deflected or diverted laterally each way, causing the same to travel over a greater area in a given amount of space, as well as contracting the passage thereof through'the Home or receptacle, which promotes the precipitation of the quicksilver and consequently the collecting of the same. These rifiies are each provided with upwardly-curved hooklike brackets a a, which catch or take under and pass through keepers or staples b b,fastened or applied to the bottom or bed of the fiume or receptacle A, said riflies thus being adapted to be readily removed when desired for any cause. Boards or gates E E are disposed in the passage-Way of the flulne or receptacle A, the same resting against cleats or vertical strips 0 c, fastened to the sides of the flume or receptacle when it is desired to dam up the same, as shown, said boards or gates being removed when the apparatus is in operation.

This machine is simple and eflicient for the work assigned to it.

Having thus fully described my invention,

Patent, is

The quicksilver collector or flume consisting of the trough-like receptacle having at suitable points approximately diamond shaped chambers,the riffles disposed about centrally of said chambers, with their on s standing in proximity to the contracted or tapering extremities of said chambers and provided with upwardly-curved hook-like brackets, or catching under and passing through keepers or staples applied to the bottom or bed of said receptacle, cavities below the surface of said bed or bottom, and the gates or boards resting against cleats of the said receptacle, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD A. DODGE.

WVitnesses:

JOSEPH A. HARRIS.

MARTIN SLACK.

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters 

